Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey Dies at Age 77

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey has died at age 77.

The Democrat, his state's first and only black congressman, died Tuesday morning at St. Barnabas Hospital, his brother said.

The 12-term member of the House had announced in February that he was undergoing treatment for colon cancer and would continue to represent his district.

Payne has represented the 10th District in northern New Jersey since 1988 and was elected to a 12th term in 2010. He was a member of House committees on education and foreign affairs. He had also served as chairman of the House subcommittee on Africa.